The resolution, which allows 'gay' youth members, was passed with an over 60% majority of votes.

CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

WASHINGTON — The Boy Scouts of America has voted in favor of a resolution that lifts the ban on openly "gay" members but will not allow "gay" adult troop leaders.

During its annual meeting in Grapevine, Texas, some 1,400 Boy Scouts delegates voted on whether or not the group should lift its ban on openly homosexual youth members.

The resolution, which allows "gay" youth members, was passed with an over 60% majority of votes.

In a May 22 op-ed for USA Today, Boy Scouts of America's president, Wayne Perry, said the resolution to lift the ban on openly gay scouts “reinforces that scouting is a youth program and that any sexual conduct, heterosexual or homosexual, is contrary to the virtues of scouting.”

The resolution, he explained, will not allow “the use of the organization to promote or advance any social or political positions or agendas.”

The announcement of the resolution follows several months of policy review, after the Boy Scouts lost funding from high-profile donors such as UPS, Merck and Intel over the old rules, which barred openly gay members. In 2000, the Supreme Court upheld this policy as a constitutional expression of free speech.

The organization decided to delay a vote on the issue back in February, citing the complexity of the issue and need for dialogue and review.

The new resolution, which will go into effect in January 2014, will continue to prevent gay adults from serving as troop leaders.

The resolution affects only the national policy and allows each local unit to set its own guidelines, allowing “the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver scouting to determine how to address the issue.”

This was inevitable. The only institution that is able to survive this kind of onslaught is the Church, and even She is being badly wounded, not least from the complacency of her shepherds. It was inevitable, but it is still sad. Scouting had been an institution that was helpful to American character, but as we approach several crises (you can call them punishments if you like—they are, but not supernatural punishments) we are being deprived of resources that would help us through. Scouting will not survive, except maybe as a shadow of itself. In this it prefigures our society as a whole.

Posted by Carolyn on Saturday, May, 25, 2013 5:51 PM (EST):

Let me make this clear. I will always love my gay brothers and sisters. But being in the Boyscouts is about the formation of young men growing into manhood. These boys have a right to have a place to step away from the culture for a little while in a safe environment just to be boys and test their skills in nature and process what it means to be a man. If your as lucky as my Son was, God will send good Men to help him along this journey. I can understand how hard this decision was to arrive at for the delegates. But what was troubling to me was discovering that all opinion polls that were favorable to admitting open homosexuality were taken outside the group. The survey given to Parents, Leaders, and scouts within the group were against the change. Most opinions given on my local news stations were always one-sided and never a fair debate showing why most wanted the policy to remain the same. This is a disturbing precedent to be given. I truly feel, in this political climate, we as Catholics and Christians, are becoming more and more afraid to speak how we really feel. I am deeply disappointed as a Mother to consider having to remove my Son who will be within a year and a half from receiving his eagle. But mostly I am disappointed with the silence and apathy of the Bishops and Priests in my own faith. Gentlemen, as a Mother, I can tell you it is brutal out here to raise my children to the Faith. But I cannot think of a more worthwhile and beautiful cause than having my children be reminded of there own dignity and worth through the eyes of their creator. What the Boyscouts offered was a respite from a culture that tells them they are the sum of their next appetite. Yes, I would wish the same for all children, but by the very politicizing of the issue and the way this cause was tainted has already done the damage. In considering any future decisions concerning children. Please, Please, Please, err on the side of innocence. Remember, that’s our job. In the end, we are not called to fit in we are called to stand out.

Posted by Catherine on Friday, May, 24, 2013 9:17 PM (EST):

This is crushing. My son was crying today, being only 11 and very innocent, (as we home school and havent had the “talk’ yet) he has no clue about sex between a man and a woman, let alone sex between a man and a man..this was a tough one to explain to him. I cant see supporting a social group for my child to be in, so he can be surrounded by like minded boys and parents when now they are not like minded boys and parents. I feel like by staying in we are saying, ‘sure we are OK if you are openly gay and like boys and date them” and I don’t want to send that message to my two boys. I already pulled my daughter from Girl Scouts because of their gross affiliation with the monster that is Planned Parenthood. Now we have to withdraw from Boy Scouts. This is SO unbelievably sad.

Posted by C.M. on Friday, May, 24, 2013 4:40 PM (EST):

I’m wondering what an “openly gay” Boy Scout would look like? Will he insist on a more stylish/decorative uniform? Not want to go camping but want to perform in musicals? I’m not trying to be mean but my point is that why should any young boy be “openly gay” at that point in his life—and why would he be interested in scouting anyway? The only reason I can think of is for unhealthy male companionship.

Kids can be confused about sexuality, but the way to deal with it is for the adults to show an example of what’s good and acceptable behavior. What do the adults do with a boy who now doesn’t want to be like the others but go his own “gay” way? Will the adults be accused of discrimination for saying he’s got to wear the uniform, go camping, etc.? What happens when the “gay” scout gets too personal with another scout?

Why should these poor kids have to deal with this at all? The Scouting officials are taking away their innocence with this change of ruling. The kids should have nothing more on their minds than mastering knot tying and going for that next badge. Why don’t those “gay” scouts start their own group?

Posted by DAVE on Friday, May, 24, 2013 4:39 PM (EST):

The Boy Scouts of America formed in 1910. Before that there was nothing…. someone had to start something new.

Who is willing to start something new now?

Posted by Lucas on Friday, May, 24, 2013 4:24 PM (EST):

From a former eagle scout. It is time for all Christian families to make a run for it from this now, evil youth organization. To keep your boys in such an organization can only lead to their moral degradation and rebellion against God; and it is rebellion against God and His Word that leads to hell. Homosexuallity, like all sin is an abomination unto God and leads to hell if not repented of. It needs to be pointed out that temptation is not a sin. If there are young people who are tempted by any sin, including that spoken of here, they are not guilty of that sin if they fight against it—meaning THEY ARE NOT HOMOSEXUAL. However, for adult BSA leaders to actively tell children that this lifestyle choice is acceptable is reprehensible in the light of the death of Christ on the Cross for poor sinners tempted or subjected to these sins. If we ACTIVELY pursue Jesus and His way (e.g., faith, repentance, Church, sacraments, prayer, etc.), He will give us the grace to overcome all sins that chain mankind and, otherwise, lead to hell. While God loves all sinners, He never compromises with sin; except to provide an atoning sacrifice for sin repented of through the death of His divine Son Jesus and provide a Catholic Christian Church to continually overcome that sin through its divine sacramental system. This immoral decision by the BSA, promoting the perverse adult pro-homosexual agenda among susceptible and immature youth will only lead to the destruction of the fledgling morals of ALL boys involved in this now morally bankrupt youth organization. My advice for all boys in this organization is to leave your troops immediately so you do not endanger your souls and to maintain your morally upright characters.

Posted by MLsouth on Friday, May, 24, 2013 4:21 PM (EST):

Whomever voted in favor of this probably thinks that putting gay teenage boys with raging hormones in close quarters with other boys is a good idea. Makes you wonder if this 60% actually have any brains at all. And then what happens when these boys reach adult age and want to become leaders? So sad for the boy scouts. They should go ahead and remove “morally straight” from the Scout Oath -

Posted by eddie too on Friday, May, 24, 2013 4:18 PM (EST):

i do not believe it is catholic teaching to deliberately place oneself in an occasion of sin. how can it not be an occasion of sin for two boys with acknowledged samep-sex attraction to spend a night together in the same tent? what if it were an opposite-sex attracted boy and girl? would that be in keeping with catholic teaching?

Posted by Wheels on Friday, May, 24, 2013 1:42 PM (EST):

I am saddened that the issue even came up for the Boy Scouts. Being a man and remembering my confusion and struggle to gain a semblance of sexual identity during my youth was difficult. My son is in Scouting now and I will take him out of the program if the rules change. It’s important for boys to have a safe place with clear rules regarding sexual behavior. It’s important for boys to have a place where they can develop into men of virtue. The ability to express oneself heroically involves controlling ones passions or appetites. Neither the gay lifestyle nor an adulterous heterosexual lifestyle promote a healthy foundation for men. I am saddened by the innocence that has been destroyed by the culture I live in.
I pray for those young women who are looking for men who are faithful, honest and virtuous. I am not looking for perfection, but to move from glory to glory making progress in becoming a loving father and faithful husband. I pray for my sons daily. God bless

Posted by Kevin Rahe on Friday, May, 24, 2013 1:23 PM (EST):

The Boy Scouts’ new policy is actually very much in line with Catholic teaching, and indeed those who promote acceptance of homosexual relationships and activity may find a policy that says it’s “okay” to experience same-sex attractions but not okay to act on them even more untenable than the outright rejection that existed before. I predict that the pressure on the Boy Scouts to make more changes will increase dramatically from what it was. Now they’re really going to need our prayers.

Posted by Tim on Friday, May, 24, 2013 12:09 PM (EST):

To me this issue is global. Are we as good Catholics going to simply accept this change or are we going to make a stand for our Faith? This is a HUGE change for BSA. Let a boy be openly gay but then kick him out when he turns 18? How will that work in front of the courts?

My wife and I are withdrawing our 3 boys from Scouts today. The oldest is in the middle of his Eagle project RIGHT NOW. He will finish the project, but only as a good kid who honors his commitments. Unlike the BSA, who went gutless on countless people when it really mattered. Many will question / challenge / mock our decision, we have talked about what would we do for weeks if this happpened. Ultimately it came down to having a good solid spiritual advisor who had the strength to say to me “what are you going to do….stand up for Scouts or stand up for your Faith?”

Posted by eddie too on Friday, May, 24, 2013 11:49 AM (EST):

i wonder how parents will react to putting their sons in an organization that welcomes members who see their sons as potential same-sex partners?

Posted by Joe on Friday, May, 24, 2013 10:06 AM (EST):

ok—lets take it that for the kids its ok and the adults its not to be what is classified as “openly gay”. Lets just say that an openly gay scout gets his merit badges,etc., and its time to leave the ranks to the “scouts” and be a “scout leader”. Well that isnt possible is it ?

Posted by Dritte on Friday, May, 24, 2013 9:38 AM (EST):

Not optimal. But not the complete disaster it could have been. Still, I doubt the issue will go away. Once evil gets a foothold, it just keeps coming until it’s taken over and destroyed the good—e.g. The Anglican Communion.

Posted by Julie on Friday, May, 24, 2013 9:25 AM (EST):

The key word here is “openly gay” which means the scout is, or has been, engaged in a sexual relationship. Yet, Wayne Perry states that “any sexual conduct is contrary to the virtues of scouting”. My question is: when does “gay” start? What age? Why are we sexualizing our youth. Why are we identifying our youth in sexual terms? My sons were in Boy Scouts- at a Catholic school. Their friend and fellow scout came out as gay 3 years after he lost his father, when he was 20. Before that, the boy dated girls, one relationship quite serious when he was 18. I don’t want to get into the particulars about homosexuality, even though I believe it is a conditioned behavior, but why have the Scouts buckled under pressure from the LGBT thugs to sexualize our children? Will an 18 year-old male having a sexual relationship with his 14 year old scout mate become accepted behavior? Before you laugh, look up the recent case of 18 year old Kate Hunt from Florida, a lesbian, who had consensual sex with a 14 year old female teammate. Kate is now charged with statuary rape, as per the law. Gay groups are lobbying on her behalf to get the charges dropped, calling it hate. Yet, 18 year old males who have engaged in sex with 14 year old females have been prosecuted for the same charges. If Kate gets a free pass because she is gay, than an 18 year old male scout who consensually has sex with his 14 year old scout mate will become acceptable.

Posted by J.P. on Friday, May, 24, 2013 9:04 AM (EST):

Any organization that does not stand on its own values and mission will ultimately fall. Appeasement is always a losing strategy.

Too bad the BS&A cannot simply focus on “Boys” & “Scouting”...serving the kids who join. Instead, they focus on the PC “adults” who do not care about the organization, its mission or even the kids. Dissenters only want to push their narrow agenda on everyone else…because, at heart, it is always about THEM and what THEY want.

It has nothing to do with “fairness” or “equality”...if it did, then there would be consistency in the Liberal/PC/Social Justice viewpoint, such as being vocal about respecting the rights of Christians.

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